Untitled

Taranaki Daily News, 6 October 1934, Page 5

OPUNAKE HARBOUR POSITION OF BOARD FINANCES. IMPROVEMENT DURING THE YEAR. The monthly meeting of the Opunake Harbour Board was held yesterday, when those present were Messrs. :J. S. Hickey (chairman), D. Mourie, R. C. Watson, W. A. Sheet and C. R. Julian. Mr. Mourie reported that the old beacon on the beach had been removed by the Opunake Seaside Society in accordance with the board’s decision. It was found that the timber was much split and damaged and had very little value. The Wellington Harbour Board forwarded a copy of its by-laws, with amendments to June, 1934, and a request was made to be supplied with the Opunake Harbour Board's by-laws. The Marine Department forwarded a copy of the general harbour motor launch laws. A long review of the position regarding rates was submitted by the secretary, and a report presented on the transfer of leases. It was decided to confer with the town board in regard to properties that both local bodies were interested in for rates due. The secretary reported on the financial position at the end of the financial year at September 30, 1934, as follows: Credit balance No. 2 account, £1655 16s; debit balance harbour fund account, £233 19s sd. Included in No. 2 account was £423 11s 2d, representing the profit from the sale of the wharf and mole staging and sundry plant which would have to be applied to the sinking fund. This left a balance of £1232 5s lOd for the payment of interest and current expenses. The balance available in No. 2 account for interest, etc., had been in-

creased by £398 14s Bd, while the debit balance of the harbour fund account had been reduced by £252 12s 2d, compared with the end of th? previous financial year. The financial position of the board had, therefore, greatly improved during the year. The chairman said the board would be required to collect £2250 by May 1 to meet its commitments. Unless the surplus of £7OO could be maintained he could not see that a reduction could be made in rates, but if it was possible a reduction might be effected. The question of arrears of rates would be gone into next month with a view to collection. Mr. Sheat considered the manner in which rates had come in was very satisfactory. The secretary said the estimated receipts for the year were £4203 and the actual receipts £4981 . The estimated expenditure was £3243 and the actual expenditure £3795.